Strike Fighters 2

Third Wire Productions, Inc. | Strike Fighters 2 1

Strike Fighters 2

Version: Oct 2009

copyright 2002-2009 Third Wire Productions Inc.


Quick Basics

This section provides a short introduction to the basic tasks required for successful combat

mission. For a complete list of commands, see Default Key Commands at the end of this

manual.

Navigating

Finding your way around is fairly easy through the use of the game's Head-Up Display

(HUD) overlay. This section assumes that all Gameplay options are set to Easy or Normal;

for Hard settings, you may need to rely on bearings and cockpit instruments to find your next

waypoint.

Your waypoints show up in the Planning Map before the mission. During flight, your next

waypoint shows up either as a white triangle in your forward view, or as a white cone on the

perimeter of your screen. Steer towards it to maneuver to the next waypoint. Note that you

always have a preliminary waypoint just before the target area or rendezvous point, and just

before landing.

You can select the next or previous waypoint to switch them in mid-mission. Be aware that

violating the planned flight path can consume precious fuel.

W / Shift+W Select next/previous waypoint.

A Activates autopilot and flies toward next

waypoint.

Alt+N Skips forward in time to the next encounter.

Alt+M Display the in-flight map.

Targeting

Your next order of business is to find and lock onto a target. You can do this either by

bringing a target into view or using your radar. For guided weapons that require a radar lock,

you must acquire a target prior to firing weapons. Even your gunsight relies on your aircraft's

targeting system to compensate for range and motion.

Visual Targeting

You can select any target you can see out of the front view. A selected target appears in

square brackets on the HUD. If the target moves out of view, a cone appears to "point" you

toward your current target.

T / Shift+T Target next/previous air enemy or unidentified

target. Depending on your HUD settings,

information may appear onscreen about your


target.

Ctrl+T Target closest air enemy or unidentified target.

E / Shift+E Target next/previous enemy ground object.

Ctrl+E Select closest enemy ground object.

Radar Targeting

If you have advanced Radar option enabled, and if your aircraft is equipped with a radar, you

can also use the radar to search and track targets beyond visual range. More specifics of radar

usages are covered in Using the Radar.

PgUp / Shift+PgUp Switch radar mode - Search / Boresight /

Ground Map / Terrain Avoidance.

PgDn / Shift+PgDn Cycle to next/previous radar range setting.

Home / Shift+Home Select next/previous radar target on the radar

display. (Your radar must first be in Search

mode, and a target must be within radar range).

Insert Lock on to the currently selected target and go

to Target Tracking mode.

Using a Weapon

After you have something targeted, you're ready to fire your gun, missile, or rocket or ready

to drop your bomb. Before you can do so, however, you must select a weapon.

Backspace / Shift+Backspace Switch to next/previous Air-to-Air (ATA)

weapon.

Backslash (\) / Shift+(\) Switch to next/previous Air-to-Ground (ATG)

weapon.

Spacebar (or Joystick button 1) Fire primary gun or cannon.

Enter (or Joystick button 2) Fire/release currently selected missile, bomb, or

rocket. (Some guided weapons may require a

lock.)

Some weapons require a radar lock, and until it is achieved, you won't be able to fire the

guided weapon. Some heat seeking missiles will sound an audible tone when locked on. You

do not have to keep the target in view after launch to hit targets with heat seeking weapons.

For radar-guided weapons, you must wait to fire until you see a solid yellow diamond over

the target in the HUD. Whenever you launch a radar-guided weapon, remember that you

must keep the target within the cone of your radar's view to maintain the lock.

Weapons such as rockets and forward guns don't require a lock and can be fired whenever

you want. Your gunsight is somewhat automated and can help you aim. Just place the red

gun reticle over the target and fire at will. The system will automatically compensate for your

target's range and help you "lead" the bullets into his path.


Ending Mission

You may end the mission at any time by pressing ESC key. However, if you end the mission

before your mission is accomplished, it will be recorded as a failed mission.

You may, of course, choose to continue to fly back to your home base and attempt landing.


On the Ground

Every successful mission starts with a good plan. Strike Fighters 2 offers a variety of

entertaining mission types, including instant action, single missions, and full campaigns. But

before you rush to suit up and get off the ground, you've got to properly equip your aircraft

for the task at hand.

Your journey into the skies starts on the ground, beginning with the Main Screen. From

there, you select a pilot (except for Instant Action) and a mission type. After you study the

mission briefing, you can then memorize your waypoint route and outfit your bird with fuel,

bombs, missiles and guns. Finally, you'll be ready to take on the best strategic maneuvers

your foes have to offer.

Main Screen

The first thing you see when you start the game is the Main Screen. Here, you select what

type of mission you want to fly. You can also view statistics for the current pilot or another

pilot you've previously saved.

The Main Screen lists the following options. Click a button to access that screen.

Instant Action Jump immediately into flight in a randomly

generated mission.

Single Mission Load a historical mission, or configure a new

mission and fly it.

Campaign Load the currently active pilot and campaign, or

start a new campaign with a different pilot.

Pilot Record View vital statistics for all of your saved pilots,

or create a new pilot to man your aircraft

Options Set options for gameplay, graphics, sound,

controls, network and other miscellaneous

options.

Exit Closes the game.

Displays a small menu that allows you to view

other screens, see the credits, and quit the game.

The small green aircraft icon in the upper left

corner appears on every base screen and has

quick links to the Main Screen, Pilot Record

Screen and Options Screen. You can also select

Quit to close the game.

Instant Action Screen

Jump into the cockpit and quickly engage enemy targets in an Instant Action mission.


When you select Instant Action from the Main Screen, you immediately find yourself high in

the air near enemy territory. In some cases, you may even find yourself doggedly evading a

bandit who's on your tail. With an Instant Action mission, you don't get to choose your

aircraft, enemies, or setting - it's a surprise each and every time you enter battle. You also

don't have to deal with takeoffs and landings.

At the end of each Instant Mission - after winning, crashing, or dying - you see the Debrief

Screen.

Single Mission Screen

Create and fly randomly generated missions, or fly historical missions.

When you click Single Mission in the Main Screen, you're able to select a specific set some

parameters for the mission. Another difference between a Single and Instant Mission is that

the results of Single Missions are saved to your pilot's permanent record.

You have several options in the Single Mission Screen. The left side of the file folder shows

two buttons, and the right side displays the parameters for the selected subscreen.

New Mission Configure a new mission. (The game

remembers the last settings you used.)

Load Mission Load a custom mission or a previously saved

mission. You can select a previously saved

mission from the Mission Filename list.

ACCEPT Once the mission is configured or loaded to

your satisfaction, click Accept to move to the

Hangar Screen.

EXIT Return to the Main Screen and cancel this

mission.

New Mission Parameters

Setting different mission parameters can drastically affect the difficulty of a mission. For

instance, it's going to be harder to fly a reconnaissance mission when there is heavy enemy

air activity, and if you want to up the ante for your pilot, try setting up heavy enemy air

activity and heavy enemy air-defense activity.

You can alter the following options for a new Single Mission:

Aircraft Type Select an aircraft to fly on this mission.

Mission Date Select a specific year for this mission. Different

weapons became available at different date, so

select a later year to make more advanced

weapons available. (this applies to both friendly

and enemy weapons!)


Mission Type Select a mission type - Random Mission

(program randomly picks a mission), Fighter

Sweep, Combat Air Patrol, Intercept, Escort,

Strike, Close Air Support, Air Defense

Suppression, Armed Reconnaissance, Anti-

Ship, or Reconnaissance. (See Mission Types

for details on different mission types.

Mission Map Select a specific map and terrain type.

Mission Start Time Select a time of day for the mission - Random /

Dawn / Morning / Noon / Afternoon / Evening /

Dusk / Night.

Mission Weather Set the weather conditions - Random / Clear /

Scattered / Broken (partly cloudy) / Overcast /

Inclement (stormy).

Enemy Air Activity Select the approximate level of enemy activity

for the mission- Random / Light / Normal /

Heavy. This sets the number of airborne

enemies you'll likely encounter during the

mission.

Enemy Air Defense Select the approximate level of enemy ground-

based anti-aircraft units you'll face during the

mission - Random / Light / Normal / Heavy.

Campaign Screen

Participate in a full-length war and fly dynamic campaign missions.

The Campaign Screen allows you to start a new campaign mission series, or load an existing

campaign that you've created. Once you begin a new campaign, you can't change the pilot

you're using for that particular campaign. However, you can start a new campaign with a

different pilot.

Two buttons appear on the left side of the screen. When you select one, the right-hand page

changes to reflect your chosen option.

New Campaign Starts a new campaign. After you choose this

option, set the campaign parameters and then

click Accept. When prompted, enter a save

name for the new campaign.

Load Campaign Enables you to load a saved campaign. Select

the campaign you want to load from the drop-

down list on the right-hand side of the screen,

and then click Accept.

ACCEPT Prompts you for a campaign name and saves the

new campaign, then displays the Hangar

Screen.


EXIT Returns you to the Main Screen and cancels the

campaign mission.

New Campaign Parameters

When you opt to create a new campaign, you can set the following options:

Pilot Name Displays a list of pilots you've created. Select

one to associate that pilot with this campaign.

That pilot will still be able to fly Single

Missions.

Campaign Name Displays a list of available campaigns.

Service Displays the available service branches by

nationality.

Unit Name Displays a list of available squadrons. The list

varies, depending on which service branch you

select.

Campaign Difficulty At the Easy level, your success has less effect

on the success of other units involved in the

campaign war. If you perform poorly, other

battle areas can still achieve overall success.

The opposite is true for Hard campaigns - your

performance guides the overall performance for

your side. Normal falls somewhere in between.

Weapon Supply Controls how often your base receives supplies,

and how many supplies are delivered - Limited

/ Normal / Unlimited. Limited resupply means

that you're much more likely to run out of

weapons before the next convoy arrives.

Normal gives you slightly more weapons, and

Unlimited means that you never need to worry

about running out of supplies.

Hangar Screen

The Hangar Screen is your pre-flight area. From this area you can review the mission

briefing, alter your aircraft's ordnance loadout, view and adjust your mission waypoints, and

select a pilot for the mission. The main Hangar Screen page shows the mission briefing.

Along with your squadron, callsign and aircraft information, it also displays the current date

(in game time). Planned takeoff, target arrival and landing times for the mission appear as

well in 24-hour military time.

The Hangar Screen contains six buttons, four of which activate subscreens.

Loadout Lets you proceed to the Loadout Screen and

adjust weapon and fuel settings for up to four


aircraft in your wing. You can also customize

your aircraft's appearance in the Loadout area

and, in some mission types, select the type of

aircraft you want to fly.

Planning Map Shows the Planning Map Screen, where you can

view and adjust waypoints. You can also see all

friendly and some enemy positions in this area,

along with basic aircraft and base information.

Pilot Roster Shows the pilot assignments for this mission.

EXIT Returns you to the previous screen (Single

Mission or Campaign).

FLY! Puts you into the cockpit and starts the mission.

Loadout Screen

In the Loadout Screen, you equip your aircraft with ordnance appropriate for the selected or

assigned mission type, whether it's a Single Mission or the next mission in a Campaign game.

(See Mission Types for information about different types of missions you can fly in the

game.) You can view or configure your own aircraft, as well as that of your wingman and

any other aircraft flying with you.

The functionality of this screen differs slightly depending on what type of mission you're

flying and what branch of the military you choose. Single Missions allow you a little more

flexibility than Campaign Missions, since your aircraft, callsign, squadron alignment and

aircraft appearance are configurable. (These items are not editable for a Campaign mission.)

The top right side of the screen has a number of drop-down lists. The lower right side of the

screen details the current aircraft weight (calculated by adding the fuel, ammunition and

external weapon weights to the raw weight of the aircraft).

You can set the following options in the Loadout Screen for all aircraft involved in your

flight. When you're finished with all of the loadouts, click EXIT to return to the Hangar

Screen. When you re-enter the Loadout Screen, the settings for your aircraft display by

default.

Callsign Displays a list of each individual member of

your flight. Your aircraft is always designated

by "1-1", and that of your wingman by "1-2."

Select a callsign entry to configure the loadout

for that particular aircraft.

Aircraft For Single Missions, this drop-down list lets

you assign an aircraft type to the currently

selected callsign. For Campaign missions, the

aircraft type is fixed, but you can adjust

loadouts as needed. Also note that in Campaign

missions you start with a limited number of


weapon stores and aircraft. Periodically, your

base is resupplied with new munitions and

aircraft. The best way to ensure that this

happens in a timely manner is to successfully

complete all escort missions for incoming

supply vehicles.

Number Displays a drop-down list of individual serial

numbers for each aircraft of the selected type.

This unique number identifies each individual

aircraft on the base.

Paint Scheme For Single Missions, sets the chosen aircraft's

paint job. A small sample of the selected

scheme appears to the right of this drop-down

list.

Markings For Single Missions, displays a drop-down list

of national military air force emblems for your

aircraft.

Squadron For Single Missions, enables you to select

squadron markings, which will appear on the

exterior of your aircraft. In a Campaign game,

your squadron is predetermined.

Planning Map Screen

The Planning Map Screen shows an overhead view of the mission area, complete with color-

coded icons that represent friendly and enemy units. You should use this screen to become

familiar with the navigation layout of the mission, the enemy line, and the type and number

of known foes.

The map shows the following elements of information for each mission. You can click-and-

drag anywhere on the map to scroll in any direction.

Info Display Area Displays basic information about the mission,

target area and base. This area also displays

waypoint and unit information, as described

below.

Blue icons represent friendly air and ground

units, and red icons denote enemy units. The

type of unit appears as an image on top of the

icon. When you move the cursor over a friendly

or enemy unit icon, known information about

that unit appears on the Info Display Area,

including the unit type, number of units and

home base. As you win more Campaign

missions and gather more intelligence, you'll be

able to spot more targets and view more


information about them in this screen.

The small yellow triangles indicate waypoints

for your flight. All aircraft flying with you

follow these waypoints. Although the set

waypoints are optimal for the mission, you can

click-and-drag these waypoints to different

locations. Be aware that extending the mission

path requires additional fuel. Whenever you

move the mouse pointer over a waypoint

triangle, details about that navigation point

appear on the Info Display Area.

Battle line The red, jagged line on the terrain indicates the

front line of battle. As you progress through the

Campaign, this line will move to reflect your

success or failure.

Target area The black circle surrounds the area containing

the main mission target. If you're having trouble

winning a particular mission, you can try

entering the target area from a different point.

The magnifying glass icons allow you to zoom

the map view in (+) and out (-). The icon with

the dashed outline re-centers the map over the

target area.

EXIT Returns you to the Hangar Screen.

Pilot Roster Screen

The Pilot Roster screen lists the current game date, as well as the type of aircraft being flown

and the names of all pilots involved in the current flight. Pertinent information about each

pilot's experience, success and current condition also appears here.

Click EXIT to return to the Hangar Screen.

The following information displays for each pilot:

Pilot Shows the pilot's first name, last name and

current military rank.

Combat Missions Displays the total number of combat missions

flown by the pilot.

Kills Tallies the number of Air-to-Air (A/A) and Air-

to-Ground (A/G) kills made by the pilot.

Status States whether the pilot is available for duty or

not. During a Campaign game, the game tracks

the status of all pilots in your squadron. As they

get shot down, they can become KIA (killed in

action), MIA (missing in action), or POW


(prisoner of war) and will no longer be

available to fly the mission. Pilot replacements

are flown in on a semi-regular basis.

Morale Describes the current morale level for the pilot.

Condition Describes the current physical condition of the

pilot - Fatigued, Normal, Rested and Refreshed.

Refreshed is the highest level available

Aircraft Assigned Lists the callsign for the pilot's current aircraft

assignment.

Debrief Screen

Anytime you complete a mission, die, or press ESC, the Debrief Screen appears. From here

you can view your score for the mission, the length of the mission, the success/failure

message and a Top 10 score list. You will also view any new medals you receive as a result

of earning points for that mission.

You have several other options in this screen. From any other post-mission screen, you can

click Debrief at any time to return to the mission summary.

Stats Shows who fired what weapons during the

course of the mission, the number of

launches/rounds, the number of successful hits

and the percentage rate of success. Finally, a

kill tally also appears for each pilot involved in

the mission.

Log Here, every event that occurs during the

mission is logged and time-stamped.

REFLY Fly this same mission again.

ACCEPT Save the mission score for the currently selected

pilot and return to the Main Screen.

Pilot Record Screen

View detailed pilot records containing a complete history and statistics for your pilot.

This screen shows a detailed record for the currently selected pilot.

Pilot Name Displays a drop-down list of all saved pilots.

Select a pilot to display his or her information

on the right side of the screen.

Photo Displays a drop-down list of available pilot

photos. You can add to this list by placing

additional *.BMP images in the PilotData folder

in the game directory

Last / First Name Lets you type in a name for your pilot.


Callsign Lets you type in a callsign or "handle" for your

pilot.

EXIT Returns you to the Main Screen.

Pilot Statistics

The rank, score, ratings and missions that appear in the right-hand box reflect the pilot's

accumulated scores.

The following stats appear for the selected pilot:

Rank Shows the current military rank. As you earn

points with this pilot, you earn medals and

advance in rank

Score Shows the cumulative score. You receive points

for each mission based on success in achieving

the objectives.

Rating Overall rating of the pilot.

Total Kills Shows the kill tally (number of enemies

destroyed)

Aircraft Breaks out the number of aircraft kills.

Vehicle Breaks out the number of vehicle and ground

unit kills.

Buildings Breaks out the number of building destroyed..

Friendly Fire Shows the number of friendly objects destroyed

(hopefully accidentally!) by the pilot

Shot Down Number of times the pilot was shot down.

Kill Ratio Ratio of kill tally divided by number of times

shot down.

Flight Hours Shows the total hours flown by this pilot.

Last Flown Type Shows the last type of aircraft flown by this

pilot.

Missions Displays the total number of missions flown,

the number of missions that was successful, and

percentage of missions success.

Campaigns Shows the total number of campaigns flown,

the number of campaigns won, and the

percentage of campaigns won.

Options Screen

Adjust various game settings such as gameplay, graphics, sound and controls options.

You can change many of the game's options by setting them in the Options Screen. To access

the options from anywhere in the game prior to flight, simply click the green aircraft icon in

the upper left corner of the screen, and then click Options.


Note: You cannot reset options while you're airborne.

You have access to four Option Screens - Gameplay, Graphics, Sound, and Control. Click on

the name of a section to jump to that option category.

EXIT Takes you back to whichever screen you were in prior to accessing the Options Screen.

Gameplay

The Gameplay subscreen lets you change difficulty settings that affect how hard or easy the

game is to play.

Mission Start Position Position of your aircraft when the mission starts

- Near Target / Air / Runway. This determines

whether you begin the game in the air or not,

and how close you are to the target objective.

Default Viewpoint Your perspective when the mission starts -

External / Cockpit. An external view positions

you so that you see the outside of your aircraft;

a cockpit view seats you behind the controls.

See Key Commands for details on how to

change camera views.

Display Unit Sets the unit of measurements used for display -

Default / Metric / English. Metric uses standard

units of meters and kilometers. English uses

feet, nautical miles and knots. Default selects

the unit based on the aircraft type -US and

British aircraft use English unit, while most

other aircraft use Metric.

Enemy Skill Level Skill of your opponents - Easy / Normal / Hard.

Easy: Enemies aren't all that accurate - they'll

fire less often and miss more often. Also, their

flying skills are below average. Medium:

Opponents are a slightly better shot at range and

are better at executing combat maneuvers.

Hard: Opponents are seasoned veterans who

pick their shots carefully and are fairly accurate.

Dogfighting these enemies won't be an easy

task, offensively or defensively.

Simulation Difficulty Overall difficulty of the game, based on a

number of option settings - Easy / Normal /

Hard / Customize. Click Customize to display

additional drop-down menus and options (listed

below). For all of the customizable options, you

may select Easy / Normal / Hard. The default

setting is Normal.


Options under Customize...

+ Flight Model Controls the flight model for the aircraft. Easy:

Arcade-type flight model. You have a lot of

flight control due to limited external

aerodynamic forces and the aircraft flies where

the nose is pointing. Normal: More accurate

flight model. No true stalls or spins exist, but

you must deal with some external aerodynamic

forces. Hard: Most complex flight model.

External forces can cause you to stall out or

enter an unrecoverable spin. Realistic flight

control limits make the diagonal motion of the

joystick less useful for rolling during high

angle-of-attack (AoA) maneuvers.

+ Weapon Effectiveness Controls behavior and realism of weapons.

Easy: Guns and weapons are very effective.

Even the simple nose cannon can penetrate

armor. All weapons have a wide blast radius

and will not malfunction, so you need less

accuracy when aiming at your target. Normal:

Cannon rounds will still puncture armor, but

otherwise guns and weapons do normal

damage. Missile launch parameters exist, and

missiles may malfunction if fired outside of

those parameters. Hard: Gun and cannon rounds

observe armor resistances, so attacking the front

of a tank with a gun is a moot point. Strict

missile parameters exist. Some missiles have a

built-in, realistic firing delay of up to two

seconds.

+ Radar Display Controls the realism of the radar control and

display. Easy: The radar automatically marks

targets as friendly or enemy. Additionally, you

have a 360-degree view of the area - no blind

spots exist. Normal: The radar has a limited

forward front view and uses realistic ground

clutter and return signals. Targets remain on the

radar screen as long as they remain in the cone

of view. The radar automatically tracks targets

as soon as they move into radar range. Hard:

The radar realistically displays targets as

momentary blips. It can take 6 seconds or

longer to enter tracking mode, depending on the

strength of the radar signal and the proximity of

the target.

+ Visual Targeting Controls how targets are identified and selected.


Easy: You can target anything, even things you

cannot see, and all targets are marked as

friendly or enemy. Normal: You can only target

objects that are within visual range and not

obstructed by mountains, clouds or other

objects. All targets are marked as friendly or

enemy. Hard: Target identification does not

automatically occur, and you must fly close

enough to an object to determine whether it is

friendly or enemy. You can only target objects

currently in your viewing range.

+ HUD Display Controls how the game's head-up display

(HUD) operates. Easy: All available

information displays on the HUD, including

flight information, target information and

waypoints. The targeting square shows the

target's type, alignment and range. Normal: You

can only view target flight information when

you have the target within proper radar range.

The targeting square doesn't show the target's

type, alignment or range. Hard: Your flight

information and waypoint information are the

only elements that display on the HUD. Target

information does not appear.

+ Landing Controls how difficult it is to land the aircraft.

Easy: If you lower the gear, you land

successfully. Speed and angle are not factors.

Normal: If you lower the gear and don't come

down too steeply or too fast, you land

successfully. If the descent rate is too high,

however, you may crash. Hard: You must

descend at the correct angle and speed to make

a successful landing. Violating landing

parameters may result in gear damage or

collapse, or even worse, a crash.

+ Collision Controls mid-air collisions and collisions with

the ground. Easy: You cannot collide with

another aircraft in the air. Also, crashing into

the ground doesn't do any damage. Normal:

You cannot collide with friendly aircraft, but

you can hit an enemy. Damage from collisions

is reduced, and you won't usually die as a result.

Hard: You can collide with both friendly and

enemy aircraft. If you crash into the ground,

you will probably die.

+ Blackout Controls physical effects of gravitational forces


(G-forces) that occur as a result of quick turns.

Easy: Blackout and redout never occur. You

can push or pull as many negative or positive

Gs as you like. Normal: You may experience

redout and blackout during excessive G-forces.

However, the effects are short-lived. Hard:

Blackouts and redouts occur under realistic

circumstances, and the side effects remain

active longer.

+ Ammo Usage Controls the rate at which ammunition is

expended. Easy: You have an unlimited supply

of gun ammunition, cannon rounds and

missiles. Normal: You can run out of

ammunition and armament, but you start out

with twice as much. Hard: You carry a realistic

amount of ammunition, and you can only use

your guns for a few short bursts.

+ Fuel Usage Controls how quickly the aircraft consumes

fuel. Easy: Your fuel supply is infinite, even

when you use afterburners. Normal: Fuel is

consumed at half of the normal rate during

regular flight, and slightly less than the normal

rate when you're using afterburners. Hard: Fuel

consumption is realistic, and you can't use

afterburners very much without risking a fuel

shortage later in the mission.

Graphics

The Graphics subscreen allows you to change options that affect video settings. In general,

the fewer textures and less detail you specify, the better the game performance. Older, slower

machines operate best at lower graphical settings. If you have a top-end system, you can

leave everything on the highest setting and enjoy increased video quality.

Medium settings are generally recommended for machines that meet the minimum system

requirements. However, if the video is jerky or slow, try disabling some of these settings or

lowering the detail levels.

Display Device Specifies which video card the game should

use. Normally only one video card will be listed

here. If multiple cards appear, choose the option

that corresponds to your 3D video card.

Display Resolution Sets the resolutions for your monitor during

gameplay. The list that appear here are

different, depending on which video card you

have installed. If you're having performance


problems, you can reduce the game's resolution

setting.

Display Aspect Ratio Sets the aspect ratio for your monitor, 4:3, 5:4,

16:9, or 16:10. Standard CRT monitors

typically have 4:3 or 16:9 ratio, while newer

LCD monitors typically have 5:4 or 16:10

aspect ratio.

Lens Flare Sets whether or not you see a blinding "lens

flare" effect (multiple halos) when you are

flying in the direction of the sun. Your options

are as follows - Always On / On External Views

/ Always Off. Choosing the second option

means that you won't see any lens flares while

viewing action from inside the cockpit.

Graphics Detail Level Overall level of graphics details you see during

flight, based on a number of option settings -

Low / Normal / High / Unlimited / Customize.

Click Customize to display additional drop-

down menus and options (listed below). These

settings greatly affect frame rate.

Options under Customize...

+ Object Detail Controls level of detail and distance limits for

3D objects. Low: Fewer polygons exist for each

object. Some visual effects such as reflections

and decals are turned off. Medium: Objects

have more art polygons and appear more

detailed at close range. High: Objects appear

highly detailed both at range and up close. All

visual effects and decals are turned on.

+ Object Texture Controls the level of texture detail for objects.

Low: Object textures are limited to 128x128

detail. Medium: Object textures are limited to

256x256. High: Object textures are limited to

512x512. Unlimited: Object textures have

unlimited detail.

+ Cockpit Texture Acts identically to object textures, but applies

only for the 3d virtual cockpit model.

+ Cockpit Mirrors Toggles the rearview mirror on/off. When

active, this option significantly slows down

your frame rate, as each scene must be rendered

twice.

+ Cockpit Reflection As above, but toggles the transparent, interior

cockpit reflections on the canopy glass on/off.

+ Shadow Controls the distance and type of object that can

cast shadow. Low: No shadows are cast.

Medium: Aircraft cast shadow only in external


view and only at close range. High: Aircraft and

some ground objects cast shadow. Unlimited:

All objects cast shadow at furthest distance.

+ Effects Detail Controls the detail level for special effects, such

as smoke, fire and explosions. Low: Visual

effects are short-lived and don't have much

particulate detail. Medium: Particle effects are

denser, and visual effects last longer. High: All

effects are shown at full detail, and the effects

remain onscreen for longer. Unlimited: HDR

effects are enabled (on DX10 or higher cards

only).

+ Terrain Detail Controls how detailed the terrain appears at

various distances. Low: Terrain is represented

as a simple mesh. Medium: Terrain shows more

hills and valleys. High: Terrain is at highest

detail.

+ Terrain Texture Controls the level of texture detail for terrain.

Low: terrain textures are limited to 128x128

detail. Medium: terrain textures are limited to

256x256. High: terrain textures limited to

512x512. Unlimited: terrain textures have

unlimited detail, and have additional noise

detail added (with proper Shader support).

+ Horizon Distance Determines the distance to the horizon - Near /

Normal / Far / Unlimited. Note that this only

affects terrain. Enemy object and aircraft

visibility distances are not affected.

+ Ground Objects Controls how many objects (such as trees and

buildings) appear on the ground. Low: Only

important ground targets and buildings are

displayed. Medium: Some trees and non-

mission critical buildings also appear. High: All

trees and buildings appear on the ground.

+ Water Detail Controls how water is rendered. Low: Water

texture is rendered just as normal terrain

texture. Medium: Water texture has specular

highlights and appears shinier. High: Water

texture is animated (with proper Shader

support).

Sound

The Sound subscreen lets you change audio options for the game and any external speakers

you have attached to your computer.


To adjust the volume slider bars, click on the desired part of the bar. You can also click-and-

drag the slider left to reduce volume, or right to increase volume.

Sound Volume Adjusts the main master sound level for the

game.

Speech Volume Changes the volume of in-flight radio

conversations.

Music Volume Changes the volume of the in-game music.

Sound Channels Sets the number of sound channels to use - 8 /

16 / 24 / 32. The higher the setting, the richer

the sound.

Stereo Speakers Setup Sets the speaker direction - Normal

Stereo / Reverse Stereo. Switch the setting to

reverse the left and right speakers in the game.

Speech Subtitles Toggles subtitles on and off for all radio speech.

Control

The Control subscreen lets you adjust your joystick's sensitivity and deadzone settings.

Joystick Sensitivity Changes how responsive your joystick is to

movement. Slide the bar left to reduce

sensitivity, or right to increase sensitivity.

Joystick Deadzone Adjusts the non-responsive area of the joystick

around the center position. Slide the bar left to

reduce the amount of "dead" space, or right to

increase it. A low deadzone value means that a

slight joystick movement has a greater effect on

your movement than the same movement with a

high deadzone value.

Customize... Change key mappings in this screen. The

default control list is loaded by default, but you

can click Customize to change the key

mappings. If you choose to customize, a new

*.INI file will be saved in the Controls

subdirectory under the main game folder. You

can then select the control list you want by

clicking the drop-down list and choosing a key

mapping option.


In the Air

This section covers the basic forces that operate on your aircraft, gives an overview of the

cockpit and its instruments, illustrates some basic combat maneuvers and how to use

weapons, as well as providing details about all the aircraft found in the game.

Flight Basics

Forces

Four forces operate on all aircraft: lift, gravity, thrust and drag. It is the combination of these

forces that allows a plane to fly.

Lift keeps an aircraft airborne, and is mostly generated by airflow over and under the wings.

A lot of factors are involved in how much lift is present at any given moment, including a

plane's airspeed, the shape and position of its wings and their angle of attack. Gravity, on the

other hand, is always constant and is the force counteracting lift, trying to pull an aircraft

straight towards earth, no matter its orientation. The balance between these two determines

whether an aircraft ascends or descends in level flight.

Thrust propels an aircraft forwards and is adjustable by throttle. In jets it is generated by

turbojet engines and afterburners, if so equipped. It is counteracted by drag, the amount of

friction a plane's shape must overcome when flying through the air. Thrust and drag are

affected by a number of factors, including air density, variable at different altitudes.

Axes of Movement and Controls

Aircraft have three axes of movement: pitch, roll and yaw. Each has a corresponding flight

control surface. Sufficient airflow over these control surfaces allows a pilot to "steer" a plane

in an individual or a combination of axes.


Pitch is the angle of the nose of a plane relative to the ground and is controlled by an elevator

or an all-moving horizontal stabilizer (found to be more effective as aircraft approached high

subsonic and supersonic speeds). Elevators and moving tail surfaces are found at the rear of

an aircraft and are controlled by pushing the flight control stick forward or pulling it

backward. This is the quickest and most effective way to make your plane's nose point up or

down.

Roll is a rotating movement on the longitudinal axis running through the center of a plane

from front to back, also known as bank. When an aircraft banks, one wing rises or lowers

relative to the other. Roll is operated by ailerons, found on the trailing edge of each wing.

These are activated by pushing the flight stick from side to side. If you want to change your

aspect from right side up to inverted - or any position in between - use the ailerons.

Yaw is movement of the nose on a horizontal plane, much like the steering of a car. Yaw is

controlled by the rudder, a vertical airfoil found on the tail of a plane. It is operated by a set

of pedals, which also control the nose wheel when on the ground. In aircraft with a high

sweepback to the wings, the rudder can also be used to initiate roll when the wings are at a

high angle of attack and ailerons prove ineffective.

Inertia

Following Newton's First Law of Motion, which states that "an object at rest tends to stay at

rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion," objects also naturally resist a change of

state to their motion (velocity); this resistance is called inertia. The more mass that an object

has, the greater the effect of inertia. How this applies to aircraft is that they will tend to resist

a change to their path of movement, despite the pilot moving the controls. That is, the

vehicle's momentum will want to continue to carry it along its center of mass's original path.

While an aircraft's orientation in space may change, its actual flight path may lag behind

where the aircraft is pointing, and it can take a while for the plane to "catch up" to its new

heading. The higher the velocity, and the greater the mass, the more evident this is. Unless

you have chosen to use the Easy flight model, remember that an aircraft isn't like a train on

rails that will instantaneously go exactly where it's pointed. You have to take into account its

inertia. This is especially important if you are planning on making wild maneuvers with a full

bomb load or at high speeds!


Angle of Attack

On the pitch axis, the difference between where the nose is pointed and where the plane is

actually traveling (its velocity vector) is called the Angle of Attack (AoA). Often times even

when the nose appears level with the horizon the aircraft may still be ascending or

descending according to how much lift is being generated by the wings.

By increasing the angle of attack, both more lift (up to a point!) and more drag are generated.

Unfortunately, this added drag will have a degenerative effect on speed, and this in turn

decreases lift. The deceleration can be counteracted by applying more throttle if there is more

power available and, when used on the vertical plane, thrust combined with lift can overcome

the force of gravity. As you can imagine, it's all a delicate balancing act!

Slip Angle

On the yaw axis, the difference between where the nose is pointing and where the plane is

actually traveling is known as the slip angle. Having a high slip angle greatly increases drag,

as airflow slams into the side of the aircraft rather than parting around it. In combat it can

sometimes be useful to momentarily have a high slip angle to bring the nose to bear on a

target.

Lift Vector

Lift is generated by wings at an angle roughly perpendicular to where they attach to the

aircraft, originating from its center of mass. The direction in which lift occurs is called the lift

vector. In level flight this is straight up, away from the ground, and directly opposite to the

force of gravity. By rotating on the roll axis, the lift vector no longer remains in precise

opposition to gravity, and the balance between the two is disturbed. With less lift opposing

gravity, the plane naturally loses altitude. In flight pilots often anticipate and counter this loss

by pointing the nose slightly above the horizon when banking. The degree to which the lift

vector varies from the direct opposite of the force of gravity is called the bank angle.


Stalls

Stalls occur when there is not enough airflow over the wings to generate lift. The higher an

aircraft's speed, the more lift it creates; conversely, the slower it travels, the less it generates.

Eventually, it can slow down enough that lift no longer counteracts the force of gravity, and

the plane will simply drop. This is known as a low speed stall and the velocity at which it

happens will vary between designs of aircraft. The only way to recover from such a situation

is to increase speed so that lift can once again be generated by the wings. A low speed stall

close to the ground can be especially deadly, since there may not be enough time or alt itude

to recover.

Stalls can also occur at high speeds. Generally speaking, the greater a wing's angle of attack,

the more lift it generates. There comes a point, however, where the angle of the wing is

sufficiently steep that airflow over it becomes disrupted and so turbulent so that the wing can

longer create lift, despite a high velocity. This is known as a high speed or an accelerated

stall. Easing off back pressure on the stick, thereby decreasing the angle of attack of the

wing, will allow proper airflow to once again resume and lift will be restored. High speed

stalls most often happen during violent maneuvers.

Sweptback Wings

Many of the fighter planes modeled in Strike Fighters 2 have a high sweepback to the wings.

Sweepback was first utilized by the Germans during WWII with their revolutionary Me-262

jet fighter, and it was subsequently discovered to be vital for aircraft that would be traveling

at high subsonic and supersonic speeds. Highly swept wings require a higher angle of attack

to produce the same lift as straight wings, but this is a fair trade-off for the higher speeds they

allow. They also don't share the same stall characteristics. As they reach higher and higher

angles of attack, the rate at which lift increases actually declines; finally, lift itself actually

decreases without the sharp break that happens with traditional wings. Furthermore, at

particularly high angles of attack, the rolling effect produced by ailerons is significantly

reduced and can actually create adverse yaw effects that can only barely be countered by the

rudder. Therefore, in this particular situation, using the rudder and sideslipping creates more


roll and proves more effective than using the ailerons, known as "dihedral effect."

Mission Types

Fighter Sweep

Fighter sweeps are the most basic type of sortie for combat aircraft. They are an offensive

mission by fighters to seek out and destroy enemy aircraft or targets of opportunity in a

specified area. There are normally no assigned goals, except to exert influence over a region

and to maintain air superiority.

Combat Air Patrol (CAP)

Combat Air Patrols involve flying within a dedicated area and remaining on the lookout for

incoming enemy air threats. Aircraft are not allowed to stray too far from their assigned

waypoints, and often have to loiter for long periods of time. Any hostile aircraft that enter the

CAP area are to be destroyed before they can reach their targets.

Intercept

Intercepts are defensive missions with the goal of engaging specific aerial threats that have

been identified by friendly forces. Planes are vectored to close in on hostile aircraft, often

heavily laden with bombs or Air-to- Ground ordnance, and are to prevent them from reaching

their targets.

Escort

Escorts are fighters that have been tasked to stay close to and defend friendly aircraft from

hostile air attacks. Escorted aircraft are often strike fighters or bombers, and escorts usually

fly in close formation with them. The goal of an escort mission is not to destroy enemies, but

to protect the assigned aircraft. Convincing enemy fighters to break off an attack is a key

ingredient of a successful escort mission.

Strike

Strike missions involve attacking enemy surface targets either in close support of ground

forces or to knock out defenses and other targets deep behind enemy lines. Specific Air-to-

Ground ordnance suitable for the target is almost always required and is only to be jettisoned

when directly attacked, likely preventing any possibility of mission success.

Close Air Support (CAS)

Close Air Support means to engage enemy ground units close to, and in support of, friendly

ground forces from the air. CAS missions are often directed by Forward Air Controllers


(FAC) and are closely integrated with friendly ground unit's own movement and fire. CAS

can be both defensive and offensive, and great care is required as friendlies will be operating

near targets.

Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD)

The targets of air defense suppression missions are enemy ground positions that pose a threat

to friendly aircraft in a specific area. Threats may be Surface-to-Air missiles sites (SAMs) or

AAA units. Knocking out these defenses is vital to allow friendly air forces to operate with

impunity, and SEAD aircraft are often the first to arrive over a target area and the last to

leave. They are usually the most demanding missions.

Armed Reconnaissance

Sometimes referred to as Search and Destroy missions, the primary goal of Armed

Reconnaissance is to find and attack targets of opportunity. Mission orders are not specific

and any hostile forces within the assigned area should be considered legitimate targets,

including all types of mobile equipment.

Anti-Ship

Much like Strike missions, Anti-Ship missions involve attacking and destroying ground

targets - in this case, hostile watercraft. Enemy defenses on anti-ship missions can vary

tremendously, depending on the nature of the target.

Reconnaissance

Reconnaissance missions are usually non-combative to discover and report on enemy

positions. This information used for subsequent attacks or to prepare defenses.


Cockpit Instruments

All of the flyable aircraft modeled in Strike Fighters 2 share many of the same cockpit

instruments. While they may differ slightly in appearance, they function in much the same

way, as explained below. The following list is of the basic instruments needed to play the

game, and most aircraft will actually have more than presented here.


1. Airspeed and Mach Number Indicator A combination airspeed and Mach number indicator. On the F-100 and A-4, the needle

displays the Indicated Air Speed (IAS) in knots on the outside wheel, and an inner dial shows

Mach number. The F-4's airspeed indicator is divided into two parts: the right hand side of

the gauge measures airspeed up to roughly 200 knots, and the numerals on the left hand

indicate a percentage of Mach by tenths. The speed of sound varies according to air density

and therefore altitude.

2. True Airspeed Indicator

A measure of the aircraft's true airspeed (TAS) rather than its indicated airspeed (IAS). TAS

is velocity through space, while IAS is a measure of airflow, variable by air density and wind

conditions.

3. Altimeter The altimeter measures altitude above sea level via barometric pressure.

4. Radar Altimeter

This gauge indicates feet about ground level as measured by a radar return.


5. Vertical Velocity Indicator (VVI)

Also known as a Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI), the VVI measures a gain or loss of altitude

by hundreds of feet per minute. Numbers on the top of the gauge indicate a climb, numbers

on the bottom a descent.

6. Attitude Indicator Sometimes called a Horizon Ball, this gauge shows the aircraft's orientation relative to the

horizon with the sky shown as light blue. Horizontal white lines show pitch in degrees of ten,

and fixed hash marks to the outside are used to measure bank angle.

7. Attitude Director Indicator This instrument works similarly to the Attitude Indicator, but has more detailed information,

including a heading reference scale, bank indicator and a turn and slip indicator.

8. Standby Attitude Indicator A secondary Attitude Indicator in case the first fails.

9. Turn-and-Slip Indicator

This instrument measures bank angle and sliding on the yaw axis.

10. Angle-of-Attack Indicator

A measure of the pitch of the aircraft as divergent from its actual flight path. In other words,

it compares the difference between the flight path and the actual pitch.

11. Heading Indicator

A rotating compass card viewed top down.

12. Standby Compass A secondary compass in case others fail.

13. Radio Magnetic Indicator Navigational equipment available on the A-4 and F-100, this instrument contains a fixed

compass card with two rotating pointers. The wide pointer indicates the ground track

(heading) of the aircraft, and the narrow pointer indicates bearing to the next waypoint.

14. Position and Homing Indicator (PHI)

The PHI is a basic navigation tool. Consisting primarily of a rotating compass card, it also

has a pointer marking the correct bearing to the next waypoint and digital numerals to show

the range to it in nautical miles.

15. Horizontal Situation Indicator (HIS) Found in the F-4 Phantom II, the HIS is a more sophisticated navigation tool. The large

pointer just outside of the rotating compass card shows the correct bearing to the next

waypoint from the current position. The long arrow bisecting the entire gauge shows the

course from the previous waypoint to the next waypoint. The digital numerals on the left,

bottom side of the gauge measure range to the next waypoint in nautical miles. Lastly, the


innermost component measures current course deviation from the line between the previous

to next waypoint.

16. Range Indicator A basic gauge showing range to the next waypoint in nautical miles.

17. Clock

A timepiece set to local time.

18. Accelerometer

This measures the amount of G forces acting on the aircraft.

19. Internal Fuel Quantity Indicator A measure of available fuel in all internal tanks.

20. External Fuel Indicator A measure of available fuel in external tank(s).

21. Total Fuel Quantity Indicator

A measure of total fuel remaining.

22. Fuel Flow Indicator A measure of the amount of fuel flow at the current throttle setting (and therefore,

consumption).

23. Tachometer

An indicator of engine revolutions per minute, measured as a percentage of total allowable

RPM.

24. Engine Nozzle Position Indicator

A gauge to indicate the current aperture of the jet nozzle.

25. Exhaust Gas Temperature Gauge A measure of the heat of the exhaust from the jet engine. Excessively high heat can indicate

an engine malfunction or engine overuse at high settings.

26. Oil Pressure Gauge

An indicator of oil pressure in the engine. An overly low reading signifies a malfunction.

27. Oil Quantity Indictor A measure of the amount of oil present in the oil receptacle. A low reading could signify a

leak, or an overly hot engine. An engine that runs with too little oil will sustain damage and

may stop functioning altogether.

28. Hydraulic Pressure Gauge

A measure of the pressure of hydraulic fluids that are used to move control surfaces. A low


reading could mean reduced or total loss of control of any or all of the ailerons, elevator and

rudder.

29. Caution Light A master warning light signifying a general malfunction. Check all gauges and systems if lit.

30. Fire Warning Light

An indicator of a fire in the engine.

31. Armament Control Panel

A weapons panel to indicate status of weapons and related systems.

32. Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) The RWR can detect, identify and characterize radar signals 360 degrees around the plane,

displaying threat type and the relative bearing. It can also identify if the threatening radar is

in search mode or is tracking the aircraft.

33. Radar Scope Displays the radar image.

Using the Radar on F-4

Possibly the most complicated instrument in the cockpit, the radar can be used to detect

enemy aircraft at long range before they can be spotted visually. There are four selectable

modes of operation: Search, Boresight, Ground Map and Terrain Avoidance. Acquisition and

Track modes are modes operated automatically by the radar system.

Not all aircraft in game have radar on board, and not all radar have the same capabilities. The

F-4 radar has a maximum search range of 200 miles and a track range of 50 miles; The radar

on Mirage III has maximum range of 27 miles; The A-4 radar has Ground Map and Terrain

Avoidance modes only.

Search Mode

In Search mode the radar antenna sweeps the sky in front of the aircraft, displayed as a

vertical line (B-sweep) tracing across the scope. The range can be set to 10, 25, 50, 100 or

200 miles in the F-4. Longer range settings also scan a greater arc vertically. Targets are

displayed as a momentary blip on the B-sweep, and a bracketed acquisition bar can be

manually cycled (by hitting "Next/Previous radar target" keys) through all targets on the

scope when the display range selected is within the radar's track range. The radar system can

then be ordered to attempt to lock on (by hitting "Acquire selected target" key) and track the

target with the acquisition symbol, at which point the system will automatically transition to

Acquisition mode.


Boresight Mode

Rather than sweeping, in Boresight mode the radar antenna is fixed on a reference line

directly ahead of the aircraft. Any target within +/- 3 degrees of the CAGE gunsight circle is

detected, and the radar will automatically go into Acquisition mode to attempt to lock on and

track it.

Acquisition Mode

Acquisition Mode is an transition mode between Search or Boresight modes and Track mode.

A Range Gate Strobe will move from the bottom of the display toward the selected target

symbol as the system attempts to lock on and track the target. If successful, the radar will

then automatically transition to Track mode.

Track Mode

Once a target is being successfully tracked, Track mode will display angle and range tracking

information and the system will automatically keep the antenna pointed towards the target.

As long as the lock is maintained, a radar-guided missile can be fired at the target. A large

Range Rate Circle will appear in the display with a small break in its perimeter, known as the

Vc Gap . The orientation of this gap indicates the rate of closure to the target. When the gap

is in the 12 o'clock position, this signals the distance to the target is constant. A clockwise

rotation of the gap designates decreasing range, and a counterclockwise rotation an increase.

The actual position of the Vc Gap indicates the following:

Position of Gap Rate of Closure Position of Gap Rate of Closure

10:30 (315-deg) 450kts, opening 4:00 (120-deg) 1200kts, closing

11:00 (330-deg) 300kts, opening 5:00 (150-deg) 1500kts, closing

12:00 (360-deg) 0kts 6:00 (180-deg) 1800kts, closing

1:00 (30-deg) 300kts, closing 7:00 (210-deg) 2100kts, closing



Ground Map Mode

In Ground Map mode, the radar will scan the terrain ahead with a PPI sweep, tracing an arc

across the face of the scope. Significant terrain contours and any ground targets will be

displayed.

Terrain Avoidance Mode

The simplest radar mode, Terrain Avoidance displays any obstacles that lie ahead parallel to

the aircraft's current flight path with a clearance plane elevation fixed at 500 feet below. If an

object appears in the scope, climbing until it disappears will avoid it.


Using the Radar on F-15A

F-15A carries APG-63 radar, the most advanced radar of its time. The radar was the first US

airborne radar to incorporate Programmable Signal Processor, and its capabilities are

significantly enhanced over earlier generation radars, such as the one carried by F-4

Phantom.

There are three selectable modes available: Search, Track-While-Scan (TWS), andAir

Combat (ACM) modes. Single Target Track (STT) mode is entered by the radar system when

target track is established.

Search Mode

Search mode has the widest search volume and fastest search time, but only shows minimum

information regarding targets. The display shows top-down view displaying radar contacts'

azimuth and range relative to the radar. Target can be designated using Cycle Radar Target

keys, and Acquire Radar Target key can be used to transition to STT mode.

Track-While-Scan (TWS) Mode

TWS mode displays additional information about the currently designated target while still

showing basic azimuth/range info on other targets. Radar in TWS mode scans slightly

smaller volume than in Search mode, and radar elevation is automatically centered on the

currently highlighted target. The display shows top-down view displaying radar contacts'

azimuth and range relative to the radar, and target symbol may have a vector to show its

movement direction. Different targets can be designated using Cycle Radar Target keys, and

Acquire Radar Target key switches to STT mode.

Additional info may be displayed depending on the current air-to-air weapon type selected.


Radar targets symbols while in TWS mode:

If Avionics Option is set to Hard, it takes the radar 3 hits before it can gather enough

information needed to show target vector and friendly info on non-designated target.

Single Target Track (STT) Mode

STT mode displays the all the same information as the TWS about a single target, but does

not display any other targets. Radar can be used to guide radar-guided missiles (AIM-7

Sparrow) from this mode. Shows top-down view displaying radar contacts' azimuth and

range relative to the radar, and target symbol has a vector to show its direction. Additional

info may be displayed depending on the current air-to-air weapon type selected.

Auto Acquisition Mode

Radar in Auto Acquisition mode only displays basic radar operation info, and does not

display any target info. The radar scans straight ahead and vertically from 0 to 55 deg above

the boresight line. It automatically locks on to the first target it encounters in its search arc,

and switches to STT mode.


Combat Basics

Strike Fighters 2 is a flight simulation, and by nature includes Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground

combat. This section covers the basic knowledge guiding air combat, a necessity for any

successful pilot.

Rules of Thumb

There are a few basic rules of thumb that all fighter pilots live by in combat, especially when

in gun range. Learn them well, as they may just save your virtual life! The first is "Lose

sight, lose the fight." In simple terms, this means always keep your eye on enemy aircraft and

constantly analyze their position and orientation relative to yours. The moment you lose sight

of a bandit you can no longer tell how it is maneuvering or if it is threatening your aircraft.

Make it your first priority to re-establish sight of it!

A second basic maxim of ACM (Air Combat Maneuvering) is "Speed is life!" This rule holds

true for a couple of reasons, but an important one is that speed can easily be cashed in for

altitude. Similarly, a high flying aircraft can dive to pick up speed and for this reason

"Altitude is life!" is also a popular saying. This trade-off between altitude and speed is

known as "energy." A fighter at a high speed and high altitude is almost untouchable (it has

very high energy and therefore lots of options), a low flying fast aircraft or a lower speed

fighter with altitude both have medium energy (each have a few different options) whereas a

low flying, low speed aircraft that has used up all its "E" has next to no options. Needless to

say, energy management and keeping your options open is critical in a dogfight.

A third basic tip is not to fly straight and level in combat. Keeping a constant course makes

you easy prey and is very predictable. Also, learn to think in three dimensions: not only do

aircraft move about on a horizontal plane, but they can also use the vertical one very

effectively. By using vertical maneuvers, a pilot can easily turn the tables on an opponent

that insists on making only flat turns.

Using the Lift Vector

As explained in the Flight Basics section, the lift vector is the direction in which lift is

applied on an airframe. Lift as a force is not only used to counter gravity, but it can also be

used in maneuvers. Since lift is effectively "pushing" your aircraft in a known and constant

direction, you can use that force to your advantage. Rolling an aircraft so that your lift vector

points towards your target will force you to accelerate towards it; subsequently increasing

pitch by pulling back on the stick will then increase your turn rate toward it (subject to

certain limits, see below). When following an enemy aircraft, keeping your lift vector on the

same plane of motion as that of your foe can help you turn inside of it and set up a kill.

G Forces

G force is the measurement of inertial loads, with 1G being the normal force of gravity. The


higher an aircraft's velocity, the easier it is to increase G loading during maneuvers. G forces

act on both pilots and aircraft, sometimes with negative consequences. Sustained high

positive Gs send blood rushing out of a pilot's head, and can lead to increasingly grayed

vision and eventually unconsciousness, known as "black out." Human beings are much less

tolerant to negative Gs, which force blood into the head and can lead to a condition known as

"red out" as vessels in the eye become engorged and vision is negatively affected. In order to

recover from either black out or red out, G loads must be reduced to allow more normal

blood flow to the brain and eyes. Aircraft can also be damaged if Gs are allowed to climb too

high, even if only for a moment. As airspeed decreases the ability to initiate and hold G

forces is reduced.

Turn Rate versus Turn Radius

Turn Radius is the size of a circle flown by an aircraft as measured from the center and

decreases as velocity is reduced. While this is an important figure, the fighter that can turn

the tightest isn't always at an advantage in a dogfight. Turn Rate - the speed with which the

nose changes heading, measured in degrees per second - is even more significant. Since

firing air-to-air weapons is generally done from the forward aspect of a fighter, the rate at

which the nose can be brought to bear onto a target is critical. Thus, even though an aircraft

may be creating a wider circle than its opponent, if it can travel around that circle more

quickly, it is at an advantage. At any given velocity and G load, an aircraft has a specific turn

radius and turn rate.

Corner Velocity

At high speeds turn rate is limited by the amount of G forces that can be sustained. As speed

lowers and maximum Gs are maintained, turn rate increases. This seems ideal but, as

mentioned above, as airspeed is reduced, so is the ability to hold Gs. The slowest speed at

which maximum Gs can be applied is known as Corner Velocity and is the point at which an

aircraft has the maximum instantaneous turn rate. Corner Velocity will vary between aircraft

and is important to learn, as this is where a fighter will perform at its best. Unfortunately,

most aircraft don't have enough thrust to maintain this velocity under maximum G loads and

will find that their turn rate decays as their speed and hence Gs decrease. The maximum

constant velocity that can be held with the highest steady G load is known as Sustained

Corner Velocity and results in a steady rate of turn. One of the reasons energy management is

critical is so that pilots can temporarily achieve corner velocities above the sustained rate and

as close as possible to the instantaneous turn rate.


Basic Maneuvers

Immelman Turn

Named after Max Immelman, a German pilot during the dawn of aerial combat, WWI, this

move involves pulling back on the stick and climbing through the vertical as part of a half

loop. At the top of the loop, when the aircraft is inverted, the pilot rolls through 180 degrees

to be right side up and facing the opposite direction from where the maneuver was started.

The aircraft finishes at a higher altitude than it began, with a resultant loss in velocity. Useful

for changing direction quickly, it can be dangerous when pursued closely since an opponent

can easily achieve a firing solution when the plane is slow towards the top of the loop.

Insufficient speed before entering an Immelman will result in a stall.

Spit-S

The Split-S can be considered the counterpart to the Immelman, since it is also a half loop.

However, in this case the pilot rolls inverted before pulling back on the stick and then

performs the half loop while descending. The end result is a 180-degree change in direction,

a loss of altitude and a gain in airspeed. It is critical that it be performed with sufficient

height to avoid flying into the ground. Mainly a defensive move, it can also be used if an

opponent flies beneath you in the opposite direction. The half roll is executed before the loop

since a pilot can withstand many more positive Gs than negative ones.

Break Turn

A break turn is used to quickly defeat a guns solution by a hostile aircraft that is rapidly

closing from the rear aspect. It is executed by banking either right or left and pulling back on

the stick rapidly so as to carve a tight turn and force an overshoot. It is imperative to turn into

the attacker and not away from him, as the latter would give him an even easier shot. A break

turn is best performed level with the horizon or lower to avoid a pop-up in altitude and loss

of speed, thus unwittingly becoming an even easier target. Break turns are most effective

when the pursuer has a significant speed advantage and therefore cannot pull as tight a turn.

High and Low Yo-Yo

A Yo-Yo, whether high or low, is a very effective offensive tactic against an opponent that

insists on making flat turns. Its principle advantage is that by using the vertical plane an

aggressor can create an offset path of pursuit and thus gain an angle on the enemy. The Yo-

Yo is performed by rolling outside of the horizontal plane during a turn and pitching up or

down, followed by an opposite roll back into the original turn. The end result is that you will

have effectively "cut the corner" of the flat circle and will find yourself more squarely on

your opponent's rear. The High Yo-Yo should be used when you have energy to spare and

are above Corner Velocity, while the Low Yo-Yo should be used when you need to gain

speed to reach your instantaneous turn rate.


Using the Gunsight

The F-100 Super Sabre and F-4 Phantom II are equipped with a Lead Computing Optical

Sight System (LCOSS). This gunsight can be operated in three modes: CAGE, A/A and A/G.

In CAGE mode the gunsight reticle is fixed along the radar boresight line of the aircraft.

When selecting Air-to-Air missiles the LCOSS automatically goes into CAGE mode.

In A/A (Air-to-Air) mode and with the cannon selected, the gunsight is placed in lead

computing mode with the reticle position governed by the sight gyro and radar range. By

these means the sight effectively predicts where cannon fire will go, given your current G

load and range to a selected target. Place the predictor sight onto the target and fire guns to

hit it. If no air target is selected, the sight defaults to a range of 1,000 feet.

In A/G (Air-to-Ground) mode, the sight is manually depressible to 245 mil below the

fuselage line.

In F-4 Phantom II, the LCOSS also has roll tabs and a range bar. The range bar moves from

roughly the 1 o'clock position (delineating maximum range) to the 6 o'clock (showing

minimum range) and reflects different distances according to the weapon selected.

Using Air-to-Air Missiles

Aerial combat during the Korean War and even into the early 1960s was still very much a

visual affair. While bogeys could be plotted on airborne radar at quite a distance, fire control

technologies that existed were quite primitive by today's standards and downright unreliable.

Heat-seeking missiles had to be fired within very specific parameters, and cannon still proved

very effective for in-close fighting. This lesson is evident by the case of the F-4 Phantom II,

which began life without any onboard cannon and was overly reliant on missiles; it later had

gun pods fitted, and finally had a 20mm Vulcan cannon installed in the nose by 1967.

On board fire control radars of the 1960s could only lock onto one enemy at a time, and

radar-homing missiles had to "ride the beam" to their targets, not having their own

independent guidance systems.

Missile technology evolved quickly, though, and Air-to-Air capabilities steadily increased

throughout the decade.

Heat-Seeking Missiles

Many aircraft can only be equipped with heat-seeking missiles and don't have the capability

to fire radar-guided ones. Infrared (IR) missiles track the heat signature produced by a jet's

exhaust. To be used successfully, they have to be fired from the rear aspect of the target;

otherwise, they will not pick up a heat source properly. Early versions were sometimes


fooled by other objects that radiate heat against the sky like the sun or clouds. Even the most

modern heat-seeking missiles can still be fooled by flares.

When AIM-9 missiles are selected, you will hear a constant medium pitched tone known as a

"growl." As the IR seeker head detects and locks onto a source, this pitch will change to a

high tone. The sensor of a heat-seeking missile has a limited field of view, so in order to "get

a tone," the target has to be roughly within your gunsight (it will have automatically switched

to CAGE mode) and within range of the seeker head.

Early Sidewinder missiles could not be fired when pulling too many Gs. Likewise, a missile

also has maneuverability limits, and if it is fired from too close a range or too high an aspect

angle, it may not be able to turn sharply enough to engage the target. The best way to ensure

your missile hits is to have a constant tone and to be following the target in pure pursuit

without a high G load. The maneuverability and/or maximum range of Sidewinder missiles

improves with each variant.

If your target is too close to use AIM-9 missiles, use your guns!

Radar-Guided Missiles

Radar-homing missiles (RHM) rely on information from a radar signature to find their way to

a target. They operate at a much greater range than heat-seeking missiles and can be fired

from any aspect, meaning you do not have to maneuver to the rear of a bandit. While in

flight, they require radar information constantly provided by the aircraft from which they

were launched. Unlike a heat-seeking missile, which is "fire and forget", their guidance

depends on a radar lock being kept by your radar and the target being illuminated. At longer

ranges this can be defeated by enemy radar jamming, and only one target can be illuminated

at a time. Hostile aircraft can also employ chaff defensively to defeat radar locks.

For information on how to achieve a radar lock using your radar scope, view the Using the

Radar section of this manual.

Using Air-to-Ground Missiles

There are three types of air-to-ground guided missiles available in Strike Fighters 2: 1) Anti-

radiation missile (ARM), such as AGM-45 Shrike and AGM-78 Standard ARM, 2) Electro-

Optical (EO) weapons, including AGM-65 Maverick, and 3) Laser-guided bombs (LGB),

such as GBU-10/12 Paveway I series bombs.

Anti-Radiation Missile (ARM)

Anti-radiation seeker head homes in on the emitted signal from enemy ground radar

installation and is completely self-guided. To use these missiles, simply point the aircraft

toward a known enemy radar, and fire. If the enemy radar is within the range, it'll


automatically lock on and guide itself to the target.

Electro-Optical (EO) Guided Weapon

EO weapons are guided using small TV camera located on the nose of the weapon. Once EO-

guided weapon is selected, the radarscope will display the image seen by the EO seeker of

the selected weapon. To use EO-guided weapon, simply select the visual target (by hitting

Select Ground Target key), and if the target is in seeker range and in seeker field-of-view, the

weapon will automatically lock-on to the selected target. The radar display will show the

weapon seeker tracking the target, and the Heads-Up-Display will display a symbol

indicating where the target is located. Once fired, EO-guided weapons are "fire-and-forget",

and the attacking aircraft may immediately switch target for next weapon without losing

guidance.

Laser-Guided Bomb (LGB), No Designator

Laser-Guided weapons are guided toward reflection of laser dot "painted" on the target by a

laser designator. If the aircraft is not carrying the laser designator, then it cannot select target

on its own - it can only attack primary targets, which are always being designated by other

laser designators (such as Special Forces on the ground). Since the target is being lased by

other units, the attacking aircraft does not have to maintain target, and can immediately

switch to another target to attack using other weapons.

Laser-Guided Bomb (LGB), with Designator (AVQ-23 Laser Designator Pod)

If the aircraft is carrying a laser designator (such as AVQ-23 Laser Designator Pod), the

radarscope will display image similar to EO-guided weapon, and the target may be selected

similarly using the Select Ground Target key. If the target is in designator range and in

designator field-of-view, the display will show the designator tracking the target. Laser-

guided weapons fired this way are not "fire-and-forget", and the target must remain

designated until the weapon impact. Switching visual target while bomb is still in flight will

cause the bomb to lose its target and miss.


Player Aircraft

The following is a brief description of the player flyable aircraft in Strike Fighters 2 series

games. Not all aircraft are available in every game.

Hunter

Year: 1954

Role: Fighter / Fighter-bomber

Max Speed: 715 mph

Max G-loading: 7.3 G

Weapons: Four 30mm ADEN Mk.4 cannons with 150 rounds per gun.

Design for the Hawker Hunter began in late 1948 to fulfill the Air Ministry specifications for

a second-generation jet fighter, and it is a classic example of British aircraft design with all

the smooth curves and pleasing lines. It had very good handling characteristics, but even with

the transonic swept-wing design and powered by then-new axial flow turbojet, it was unable

to break the "sound barrier." The Hunter replaced several fighter types in the Royal Air

Force, including the Meteors, Sabres, Vampires and Venoms, to become the backbone of the

fighter command from the mid-1950s to the end of 1960s. It was also widely exported, with

no less than 19 countries operating the type. Hunter saw considerable action across the globe,

including the crisis in Suez, Indonesia and Aden, civil conflicts in Chile, Somalia, Rhodesia

and Zimbabwe, wars in the Middle East, and India-Pakistan war of 1971.

Hunter F.6 [Strike Fighters 2 Europe]

The Hunter F.6 (Fighter, Mark 6), entering service in 1957, is the definitive fighter version of

the Hunter. It is powered by more powerful Rolls-Royce Avon 203 engine, and its outer

wings have increased area giving them a distinctive leading-edge "dogtooth". It can also carry

four external drop tanks on underwing pylons.

Hunter FGA.9 [Strike Fighters 2 Europe]

The Hunter FGA.9 (Fighter Ground Attack, Mark 9) is the F.6 converted for ground-attack

role. It is powered by Rolls-Royce Avon 207 engine, has further strengthened wings, and

provisions to carry larger 1,044-liter drop tanks on inner wing pylons. FGA.9 entered service

in 1960.


F-100 Super Sabre

Year: 1954

Role: Fighter / Fighter-bomber

Max Speed: 864 mph

Max G-loading: 7.3 G

Weapons: Four 20mm M39 cannons with 200 rounds per gun, four AIM-9 Sidewinder heat-

seeking missiles, and up to 7,000 lb of ordnance on six underwing pylons.

The single-seat F-100 Super Sabre evolved from the famed F-86 Sabre, legendary in combat

against the Soviet MiG-15s of the Korean War. The first of the "Century Series" of fighters,

its design dates back to 1949 and is often considered the first production aircraft capable of

Strike Fighters 2

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Transcript of Strike Fighters 2